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Whinsley Masara Chronicle Reporter
MATABELELAND South province has made huge strides in addressing challenges in the health sector by, among other ways, increasing the number of doctors and reducing home deliveries. Matabeleland South Provincial Maternal and Child Health Officer, Dr Rudo Chikodzore, spoke of the huge strides that the province has made during a field tour in Matobo District recently.

Dr Chikodzore said the number of doctors in the province increased from 14 in 2012 to 40 to date, but there were challenges in terms of specialists. “In 2012 there was a record of 13,9 percent home deliveries in the province which was reduced to 6,7 percent by the end of 2015. Safe maternal delivery trends have also been recorded because of the improved theatre facilities.

“The Caesarean section rate has also gradually increased from two percent in 2013 to five percent in 2015,” she said. Dr Chikodzore said a lot of equipment has been received in the province and equitably distributed to the districts.

“54 solar powered direct drive refrigerators have been installed in the province for vaccine storage and seven (Toyota) Land Cruiser ambulances were received and all districts received an ambulance,” she said.

Dr Chikodzore said community health workers have been trained for leadership management and governance enabling them to disseminate information to the community. She said there has been an increase in the number of women booking within 16 weeks of gestation since 2012 resulting in an increase in the proportion of antenatal care bookings from 12 to 23 percent in 2015.

“This has also resulted in a gradual increase in institutional deliveries and a decline in home deliveries,” Dr Chikodzore said. She said by the end of 2015 there was a 140 percent increase in the number of women screened for cervical cancer.

“Immunisation coverage has recorded above 85 percent in the past five years which is a good sign that villagers have been educated on its importance. “There’s also an increase in the number of new clients for family planning implants inserted over the past five years,” Dr Chikodzore said.